BALENCIAGA is reportedly suing former creative director Nicolas Ghesquière - following a controversial interview that was published after his exit from the fashion house, in which he criticised the brand's management. A spokesperson on behalf of the fashion house could not be reached for comment.

According to French business magazine Challenges, Balenciaga - which is owned by Kering, formerly known as PPR - is filing legal charges against the designer for "breach of duty of confidentiality". The offending interview in question - published in System magazine in April - was the first time that he had spoken out since departing the label. A Kering representative declined to comment on the reports.

In the candid piece, Ghesquière revealed that he decided to leave the fashion house because he "ended up feeling too alone", and as though he was being "sucked dry". He also accused the label of "lacking in direction" and claimed that he had a lack of support from the business side of the relationship.

Ghesquière and Balenciaga announced the end of their 15-year relationship in November last year, and the designer was eventually succeeded by Alexander Wang as creative director. Much speculation has been made as to what his next move will be - not least that he may be set to take the helm at Louis Vuitton when, and if, Marc Jacobs decides to step down - but nothing has yet been confirmed.